The Nordic cross
Seven flags carry a cross extending to the edges, with its upright nearer the hoist. The shared layout reflects a long regional flag tradition.
Flags of the Nordic countries
The five independent Nordic countries are Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden. Their flags share an off-centre Nordic cross. Explore these five national flags alongside the flags of Åland, the Faroe Islands and Greenland.
- Nordic countries
- 5
- Autonomous territories
- 3
- Nordic cross flags
- 7
Flags of the five Nordic countries
Flags of Nordic countries and autonomous territories
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Independent Nordic countries
Flags of Nordic autonomous territories
Stories behind the flags
Dannebrog and its legend
Denmark’s red-and-white Dannebrog has a long history. The tale that it fell from the sky in 1219 is a legend, not a documented origin.
Finland and Sweden
Both flags use the same off-centre cross: Finland has blue on white, while Sweden has yellow on blue.
Åland and the Faroe Islands
Åland, part of Finland, and the Faroe Islands, part of the Kingdom of Denmark, each have their own Nordic cross flag.
Greenland’s disc
Greenland’s Erfalasorput, meaning “our flag”, was adopted on 21 June 1985. Its disc depicts the sun setting on the horizon and the light and warmth returning at midsummer. The flag has no Nordic cross.
The Nordic region and its flags
From Dannebrog to a shared design
Denmark’s Dannebrog is an early model for the Nordic cross. Today the off-centre cross links seven flags across the region, although their colours and histories differ.
Frequently asked questions
What are the five Nordic countries?
Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden. Åland, the Faroe Islands and Greenland also take part in Nordic co-operation as autonomous territories.
Why do Nordic flags have a cross?
The off-centre cross is a shared historical flag pattern. Denmark’s Dannebrog is its best-known early example.
What is the oldest Nordic flag?
Denmark’s Dannebrog is among the oldest national flags still in use. The story of its appearance in 1219 is a legend.
Is Greenland a Nordic country?
Greenland participates in Nordic co-operation as an autonomous part of the Kingdom of Denmark, not as an independent state.
How do the Nordic countries differ from Scandinavia?
The Nordic region includes five countries and three autonomous territories. Scandinavia usually means Denmark, Norway and Sweden.
Is the Sámi flag a Nordic cross flag?
No. It is the flag of the Indigenous Sámi people and has a circular design. It is not counted here as a state or autonomous territory.